Cignal HD Spikers get throne back at Iloilo’s expense in PNVF tourney
IT didn’t take long for Cignal HD to get its throne back in the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) Champions League.
In sweeping fashion, the HD Spikers hit two birds with one stone following a 27-25, 31-33, 25-16, 25-18 win over the Iloilo D’navigators to reign supreme in the PNVF Champions League men’s division over the weekend at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
With a perfect 5-0 campaign, the HD Spikers clinched its second title in the PNVF and avenged the tough defeat of their women counterparts against Petro Gazz in the women’s final last week.
“It’s very fulfilling, last year we lost, we revamped with young enthusiastic and eager players who want to be champions,” Cignal HD coach Dexter Clamor said. “It’s definitely a satisfying and happy feeling.”
National men’s team spiker Joshua Umandal starred with a 28-point eruption on 23 attacks, four blocks and an ace—numbers that earned him the MVP honors.
He was also named the First Best Outside Hitter with teammates JP Bugaoan (Second Best Middle Blocker), who dropped 23 points in against Iloilo, and Gabriel EJ Casana (Best Setter) joining him in the Dream Team.
Iloilo’s Jayvee Sumagaysay emerged as the First Middle Blocker, his teammate John Benedict San Andres as the Second Best Outside Hitter, VNS Asereht’s Kevin Montemayor as Best Opposite Spiker and College of Saint Benilde’s Alvin Bryle Gomez as the Best Libero.
VNS was hailed with the Fair Play Award to cap the awardees in the men’s tilt of the PNVF backed by PLDT, Ayala Land, Nuvali, Cignal, One Sports, One Sports+, Mikasa, Senoh, Foton, Philippine Olympic Committee and the Philippine Sports Commission.